Following a healthy diet is a must if you have hemorrhoids. It’s a known fact that people who have infrequent bowel movements are more likely to have hemorrhoids. An easy and natural way to make sure you become more “regular” is to increase your intake of fiber.1 There are two types of fiber that you can find in various food items:

• Soluble fiber — It’s known for its ability to dissolve in water to form a gel-like material. Soluble fiber is typically found in peas, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium.

• Insoluble fiber — This is responsible for providing bulk to your stools and facilitating smoother movement of materials in your digestive system. This type of fiber is found in nuts and vegetables such as cauliflower, green beans and potatoes.

A fiber-rich diet is valuable for you because it can help:2

Reduce your risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and cancer, as well as premature death from any cause

Feed and promote proliferation of healthy gut bacteria

Promote normal bowel movements

Decrease cholesterol levels

Assist in controlling blood sugar levels

Help achieve healthy weight

Studies have also shown that a fiber-rich diet leads to significant reductions to your cholesterol3 and blood pressure levels,4 improves insulin sensitivity5 and lowers various types of inflammation.6,7 Ideally, you should consume at least 25 to 50 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed per day, especially if these amounts include the following foods:

If you want to take a dietary fiber supplement, try organic psyllium, which is best taken with a vegetable-rich diet. A type of soluble fiber made from the husks of seeds from the Plantago ovata plant,10 organic psyllium is a simple and cost-effective way of increasing your body’s fiber supply. Taking it three times a day could give you as much as 18 grams of dietary fiber.

Organic psyllium and other soluble fibers are also probiotics that help in nourishing beneficial bacteria. These bacteria help with food digestion and absorption, as well as immune function.

A major caveat about organic psyllium, however, is that it is a crop that’s heavily sprayed with pesticides. Some brands may also add synthetic or semi-synthetic ingredients, sweeteners and other additives to the supplements — substances you’re better off without. As such, you have to ensure that you’re taking 100 percent organic psyllium husk.

If you want to know how much fiber you’re consuming, you can use a dietary fitness app to find out. If you come up short, add organic psyllium to your diet and increase your intake of whole vegetables.

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Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.